PROVIDENCE, R.I. -
The Providence College women's ice hockey team announced its annual team awards during the end-of-year banquet Sunday at the Providence Courtyard by Marriot.

The program began with Head Coach Bob Deraney and the coaching staff honoring the five graduating members of the class of 2011. The seniors include forwards and co-captains Alyse Ruff (Tualatin, Ore.) and Jean O'Neill (Strafford, Pa.), defenseman Leigh Riley (Lexington, Mass.), assistant captain and defenseman Amber Yung (Rockville, Va.) and goaltender Christina England (Wareham, Mass.).

Then, seven awards, including six voted on by the players and one by the coaching staff, were announced by former Friar greats. Current Assistant Coach and US Olympian Karen Thatcher '06 presented the Team MVP honor to goaltender Genevieve Lacasse (Kingston, Ontario). The junior netminder, who earned the same award last season, broke several records during this most recent campaign, including the school marks for career saves and saves in a season.

Former Hockey East All-Star Kathleen Smith '08 presented the seventh player award - acknowledging the student athlete who performed above and beyond expectations - to junior Abby Gauthier (Lynn, Mass.). The forward contributed a career-best 19 points in 2010-11 while boasting a plus/minus rating of +10.

Two members of the championship-winning class of 2005 attended. Hillary Greaves '05, who scored the decisive goal in the first Hockey East Tournament title game, awarded the Most Improved accolade to freshman defenseman Maggie Pendleton. Forward Emily Gryp '05 presented the Academic Award to the student-athlete with the highest G.P.A. on the team, sophomore biology major Jessica Vella (Pickering, Ontario).

Graduate Assistant and former Assistant Captain Erin Normore '09 presented the Captains' Awards to Ruff and O'Neill in appreciation for their service to the team, while former Friar great Connie Richer '81, one of the first scholarship players in program history, awarded the Coaches Award to England. The Coaches' Award represents the coaching staff's recognition of the player who excelled beyond expectations at her position.

Former Friar All-American Kristin Gigliotti '07 announced the Unsung Hero Award, given to the student-athlete who consistently contributed to the team's success but did not necessarily the recognition she deserved. This year's winner was junior defenseman Jennifer Friedman (San Gabriel, Calif.), who was third among all Hockey East blueliners with 23 points.